Molnar was first up and was asked about Notre Dame's freshman quarterback Tommy Rees, who struggled a bit in his last outing, a 20-16 win over USC in Los Angeles.

"Tommy did struggle a little," the 49-year-old Molnar said. "I think part of it was the big arena and part of it was the talented defense we played. We went back home to South Bend and went back to basics, doing things he felt comfortable doing, getting ready for the Sun Bowl. We had a good 12 days of practice.

"Actually, Miami is not dissimilar from what USC does, putting a lot of pressure with their front four," Molnar said. "It's important Tommy go through his reads and get rid of the ball. But he's got the makeup of an outstanding quarterback. He never gets too high, never gets too low. He's very even-keel, and I think that's a very good trait for him."

Big running back Robert Hughes, 5-foot-11, 245-pounds, has been more of a factor in the games down the stretch, averaging 5.7 yards per carry over the final six games.

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"Initially, as we moved through spring ball, Coach (Brian) Kelly and I felt Robert was running like a 172-pounder, looking for a place to cut rather than lowering his pads and using his God-given gifts and his strength. He's doing a much better job now."

Molnar said it is important the Irish use Hughes and all their weapons, not putting the strain strictly on their freshman quarterback.

"It's not that Tommy can't carry the team on his back at this point," Molnar said. "We don't want to find out at this point."

The 37-year-old Diaco was up next, first talking about the Miami quarterback situation. Junior Jacory Harris and freshman Stephen Morris are battling for the job on Friday.

"These two players have the same tangible traits," Diaco said. "They seem very similar. Both are athletic, both are fast, both have good arm strength and can make all the throws."

Harris was the starter, but suffered a concussion and Morris stepped in.

"He came in and provided what they needed from the quarterback position," Diaco said. "Not much seemed to change when one was in. We're preparing the same and we won't do anything outside of our defense."

Diaco said he shared a fable with his defensive players, espousing the idea that players always know where they stand.

"Players know where everyone fits at all times," he said. "That's the core of our belief. There are no back doors. Every player knows exactly where they are on that particular day."

And when asked about senior cornerback Darrin Walls, Diaco said, "Darrin is a benchmark for professionalism. You point to him and say this is how you come to work, this is how you look when you come to meetings, this is how you dress when you are on campus. I don't know if Darrin believes that on any given day he might meet someone who might change his life. But I know he will be very successful in life."

Diaco also talked about the very big, very athletic Miami offensive line, saying they "can engulf a smaller player."

The practices are winding down, reaching the walk-through stages now. The preparation continues but, as the old football saying goes, "the hay is almost in the barn."

Just over 24 hours remain until this highly anticipated showdown begins, bodies banging all over the Sun Bowl turf on the final day of 2010.

An enthusiastic, excited sellout crowd -- and a national television audience on CBS -- awaits.